First Day

Evelyn drove Jinhai to work before she drove the five minutes to WWO. She pulled into the underground garage. The guard took a look at her face and waved her in. He was a sweet older man that has known her since she was a child.

She backed into her assigned parking spot. Her father's car next to hers. She grabbed her purse and briefcase and took a step toward the private elevater.

Evelyn recalled coming in a few days ago. It would have made things so much simpler if she had just used this elevator that day.

She got out of the elevator and went to her office. The doors weren't locked and her brother was spinning around in her chair. Their father was examining the shelves. She stopped short before she continued into the room. She walked passed her father to the executive chair and gave it a firm jerk nearly toppling Ben onto his butt.

"Sis! That was not necessary." He said indignantly. She simply smiled at him.

"Get out of my chair," her voice was sweet but she kept her hand on the chair ready to jerk it again. Ben was tempted to spite her but he wasn't sure if she had her coffee this morning. Without her morning coffee, she could be a real nightmare. He got up from the chair and she placed her briefcase on the chair then moved to the closet to put her purse in there.

"Good morning, Mr. President, Mr. Wei." She said politely once she took a seat on her chair. She loved the leather feeling of power the chair gave her. It was similar to her father's with a more feminine touch.

"Where is Mingxi and Jan?" Deming asked. Evelyn rolled her eyes.

"John," she corrected.

"Whatever." He said.

"They should be here in about fifteen minutes she said." Evelyn replied. It was fifteen minutes to 8:20. Knowing them they would be early.There was a call from her phone and she picked it up.

"Evelyn Wei," she answered.

"Good morning, Ms. Wei. There is a John Ru and Mingxi Chan here to see you." A woman's voice came through.

"Great. Have them go to HR to get their IDs and necessary clearance as my assistants. Then send them upstairs." Evelyn said. Once she confirmed that her instructions were going to be followed she hung up the phone.

"Good news is that they're here." She said sarcastically. Her father gave her a look that told her he didn't think she was being cute. She smiled sweetly at him anyway.

"Alright let's get down to business," he sat across from her and Ben took the seat next to him.

"You are going to be my right hand," he stated.

"The first week I want you to review the proposals and our active projects. Do your Evelyn thing where you weed out the problems." He said. She smirked.

"Isn't that what your consultants are for?" She asked.

"We all know that you are more adept than the average person." He said flatly. She sighed.

"I understand you will also be working on our proposal for the medical facility." Deming continued. She nodded.

"I expect you to succeed." He said. She decided it was better not to say anything. It was amusing. On the one hand he was her boss. But on the other he was her father and he seemed to be struggling with the balance. When she couldn't take it anymore she interrupted him.

"Ba, I got it. This isn't my first VP job. Its why you wanted me here. Trust me more, please." She said. Deming didn't expect her to call him Ba while they were at work, it stunned him enough for him to freeze. He visibly relaxed then cleared his throat.

"Right, also you'll be giving a speech around 10." Deming mentioned almost casually.

"Wait what?" She asked. Deming flashed his first smile that morning. If anyone wondered where Evelyn got her not so innocent smile from, it was from her father. She narrowed her eyes at him.

"Well, got to go. I'll see you later." He said then got up. He walked to the door he waved before he pulled the door open. Ben snickered.

"How long have you known that he wanted me to give a speech," she asked him.

"Two days," he answered. She narrowed her eyes at him.

"And you didn't tell me because?" She asked through her teeth.

"I figured you'd find out sooner or later," he said. Little brothers, what did you need them for?

"I'll get you for this." She said. She turned on her computer. She went through it to familiarize herself with the system. She opened her email and saw that she already had almost a hundred emails. They were all emails that her father included her in. The "please see below," was written in every email. It was an understatement to say that she was less than amused.

Mercilessly her father didn't arrange for her first meeting to be until tomorow. She was sure if he had it his way he would have thrown her into the deep end with the sharks, electric eels, and all the other creatures of the deep.

Ben sat across from her on his own phone. Evelyn got to work immediately knocking out the easier emails.

Soon there was a knock at the door. Evelyn glanced at the clock on her desk. 8:30, right on time. Evelyn pressed at a button on her desk to let them in.

Mingxi came in with John on her heels.

"Good morning," Mingxi said.

"Good morning, Ms. Wei," John said.

"Seriously John you really don't need to be so formal." Evelyn said.

"Ben, you know Mingxi, this is John. John this is Benjamin Wei." Evelyn introduced them.

"Mr. Wei," John said sticking his hand out for a handshake. Ben took it and gave a satisfied nod.

"Mingxi, you know how I work. But you two, will learn how I operate. We will review everything together." Evelyn said.

"First, let's take you on a tour of the building." Evelyn said.

"Don't you have a speech to write?" Ben asked. She shot him a look when he reminded her of his betrayal.

"No, I'm going to wing it." Evelyn said with a devious smile. Mingxi laughed at Ben's confused reaction. It was like the idea of giving a speech without any preperation was not comprehensible to him.

Evelyn turned and John rushed ahead to pull open the door. He held it open for the rest of them. Evelyn pulled the door shut and locked it with her thumb print.

Ben and Evelyn led them through the building pointing out their cubicles, in front of her office. They showed them where Ben's and Deming's offices were down the hall. The next place they went to was the staff room. It had a refridgerator, toaster oven, water dispenser with cups, a microwave, a coffee and espresso maker, and various creamers and sweeteners. It also had a small table off the side for no more than four people. Next they took the elevator one flight down to where the conference rooms were.

One floor beneath that was a giant auditorium where the company held a monthly progress reports. Inside the podium was being set up for what she had no doubt was for her speech. There were tables being set up with breakfast, coffee and tea.

They finished then went back upstairs where Evelyn began to formulate her speech in her head. She bullet pointed the things she wanted to touch on.

"John, Mingxi, you will mostly want to say a few words too. It will allow your fellow colleaugues to get to know you." She said to them.

"Any advise?" John asked. If he was nervous about public speaking, he didn't show it. Evelyn smiled.

"Stay true to your mission, but allow them to connect with you." She said.

"How do I do that?" He asked.

"Common ground. Relate to them on common ground." She said. Ben listened to her. He was always jealous of how easy his sister made things look. It was like everything came easily to her. She was able to play the piano better, she had a natural charisma that he had to work for and often times fell short. If she wasn't the best sister in the world he could almost hate her.

Soon it was time to head downstairs where the rest of the staff was filing in. They had food in one hand and a drink in the other and were talking amongst themselves.

"There's so many people," Mingxi said sounding anxious.

"You'll be fine," Ben said. Mingxi looked at him, her eyes as wide as saucers. John looked at the stage in concentration. Evelyn saddled up next to him.

"Breathe," she said.

"Huh?" He asked.

"You look too stiff, appear calm like you're in control." She said. He looked over at her. She gave him an encouraging smile.

Deming stepped up on the stage. A hush fell over the audience as the President walked to the podium.

"Good morning, Ladies and gentlemen." He greeted. A chorus of good morning, rang through the room. Evelyn remained calm. Crowds didn't scare her, public speaking didn't scare her. When she was little she was always excited for every dance and piano recital. She thoroughly enjoyed presentations and debates in school. Not being nervous might have been wierd for everyone else but for her it was her normal.

"Thank you all for coming. I want to take a moment and thank everyone for their continuous effort in making Wei World Organization the success that it is today!" He said into the microphone. Everyone gave a clap and a couple of whistles sounded throughout the room.

"Now without further adieu, let me present, your newest VP, my daughter, Evelyn Wei." He said as Evelyn walked onto the stage with her head held high. She smiled and there was a warm applause from the audience.

"Thank you, President Wei." Evelyn said as her father kissed her on the cheek. She turned to the audience.

"Allow me to second, my father's gratitude. Some of you have been at the company for a long time and have watched me grow up. Likewise, I've seen you pour your heart and soul into this company. You will forever have my gratitude." A round of cheers sounded through out the room. Mostly from the people that she was specifically addressing.

"As for those of you who are newer to the company, you may not know me. Some of you may even resent my presence here. I recognize the faces in the crowd that have gone head to head with me in boardrooms. I just want to take a moment and say a few words to you. I was very impressed with what you were able to bring to the table. I understand exactly why the company choose you. Thank you." She bowed as a sign of respect. The resentment on some of those faces lessened slightly.

"My great great grandfather started this company almost a hundred years ago with nothing but a dream. A dream that I would very much want to keep alive. A dream that I want to see flourish. A dream I want to see all of you a part of." She said, her voice filled with emotion. She smiled.

"I come here with two people, Miss Mingxi Chan and Mister John Ru." As she said their names, someone gave them a gentle shove onto the stage. They walked up to the podium. Mingxi's face was flushed and John maintained his composure. Some of the women in the audience brightened when they saw him cheering loudly. John was actually a very handsome man and built like a model. Evelyn stood to the side to allow John at the podium.

"Thank you," he said to the audience.

"I am grateful for the opportunity that Ms. Wei has given me to learn from her. I've seen her work ethic and her drive and I admire her for it. I am honored to be working with her." He said.

"I look forward to working with all of you as well," he said and gave his head a slight bow at the audience. More cheers went up and he left the podium. Seeing how nervous Mingxi was getting, Evelyn decided to give her a break.

"Mingxi has been with me for many years and I trust her. Please give a warm welcome to Mingxi and John!" Evelyn said and they crowd cheered again..

"Now I want to leave you with the words that drive me. The words that I strive to embody. As our founding father used to say. At Wei World Organiation, if you have the will, we will always have the way." She finished. The crowd jumped up.

"Thank you Evelyn, now-" Deming didn't get to finish. Everyone's phone began to ring. Evelyn lifted her phone and what she saw made her face pale.

HEADLINES-SHAWN CHEUNG AND EVELYN WEI SPLIT! EVELYN INFERTLE???